Looking Out for Our Children

Grief is difficult, very difficult for adults but I think often underestimate the impact on children. Children are very resilient and often want to hide their true feelings as they know you are struggling to cope with all the practical issues as well as your emotions. They can often be isolated. I was interested to read at the Journal and Courier Online

“Edward Cleaver, bereavement organizer for the camp, said children dealing with grief often believe others don’t feel the same or can understand them. “We want to reduce the isolation they are feeling,” he said.

Matched with a big-buddy counselor, the campers spent the weekend horseback riding, trying archery, strolling in nature and talking in group sessions around a campfire or one-on-one.

Up to 20 kids are recruited in central Indiana to attend. All expenses are covered by donations.

Haley Riemenschneider, 11, of Logasnport had only talked with her mother about her father’s passing until Camp Angel.

“In school they want to know why you are talking to them about it,” she said of her classmates. “Here, everyone understands.”

That last comment was so telling for me…here everyone understands. We do need to ensure that they have a channel of emotional release, a channel for an expression of their thoughts no matter how much they say that they are coping.